Following the death of the Bayelsa state Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the state government has introduced a compulsory health check for all members of the state executive council.
To this end, Governor Diri has directed the state Commissioner for Health, Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe, to ensure that every member of the state executive council undergoes compulsory medical check.
Speaking during the first state executive council meeting in 2026, Governor Diri said the directive became imperative in light of the recent death of deputy governor Ewhrudjakpo.
The Governor said that as public officers with a hectic schedule, it is necessary for them to undergo regular health checks to ensure they are medically fit at all times and to prevent avoidable death.
He noted that although death was inevitable, humans can take preventive measures to enjoy good health and long life, and disclosed that an autopsy on the late deputy governor had been conducted and that the result would be made public at the right time.
While again cautioning against politicising the death of the state’s number two man, he stated that a burial committee headed by the Secretary to the State Government had been constituted and that a date for the funeral would be announced soon.
“We thank everyone that grieved with us and pray that in 2026, we will celebrate and not mourn. All of us must be careful about our health so we can prevent avoidable deaths. Members of the State Executive Council, go and do compulsory check-ups. This is a directive that must be carried out.
“While we were mourning, some people were politicising the death of our deputy governor instead of showing love and compassion. This was not expected in our state.” he said.
At the meeting, the Commissioner for Health presented an award plaque and a dummy cheque of $400,000 won by Bayelsa as first runner-up in the Primary Health Care Leadership Challenge for the South South region.
The leadership challenge in the health sector is funded by UNICEF, Dangote Group, and other international bodies.
Governor Diri described the state’s performance as refreshing and encouraging, saying the government’s investment in the sector was paying off.
“This is the best award we have won so far, and it came with a dollar reward. It is down to the exceptional performance of the Commissioner for health. When you work hard, there will be results like this,” he said.
Earlier, Prof. Brisibe stated that Bayelsa‘s recognition and performance in the competition was as a result of Governor Diri’s commitment to the development of the health sector.
He also presented to the governor the Distinguished Leadership Award in Governance in recognition of his outstanding performance and contribution to the growth of the National Association of Nurses And Midwives in Bayelsa and Nigeria.
It could be recalled that the Deputy Governor, Senator Ewhrudjakpo died at the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Yenagoa, a few hours after he reportedly collapsed in his office at Government House. He died at the age of 60.
